Welcome to Bethany Dental Care

At Bethany Dental Care we don't just take care of your teeth, we take care of your smile! Good oral health is vital to your overall health and your sense of self-confidence.

Our mission is to keep your smile at its healthiest and happiest. Our doctors and staff strive to combine the latest technology with attention to individual needs to give you the highest level of treatment and comfort available. We focus on teaching proper oral health habits, preventative care and timely, quality treatment when concerns arise.

If you have recently undergone cosmetic dentistry procedures to place crowns, implants, veneers or other types of restorations, you will want to take care to preserve their beauty and extend their life. Many cosmetic restorations will need to be replaced at some point in time, but the better you take care of your of your restoration, the longer they will last and the less likely you will experience complications.

There are several tips to follow when caring for your cosmetic dental restorations to keep them healthy and long-lasting:

Invest in a quality toothbrush, preferably electric with soft bristles, to keep your mouth free from plaque that can cause decay and disease in the tissues surrounding your restorations.

Floss regularly and thoroughly to aid in keeping your mouth free from debris that causes plaque build-up which leads to gum disease.

Use a non-abrasive toothpaste that contains fluoride. Avoid whitening or tarter control toothpaste, as they contain abrasives that can harm the glaze on porcelain restorations.

Refrain from smoking, as it causes staining on your restorations and affects the health of the gum tissue that supports your restorations.

Avoid biting on hard objects that can cause fractures or chips in your dental restorations.

If you suffer from teeth grinding, or bruxism, ask your dentist about being fitted for a night guard to protect your restorations from the damage caused by this habit.

Make sure your dental hygienist refrains from using coarse pumice to polish your teeth at your regular cleanings. To protect your restorations, they should always use a non-abrasive polishing paste to avoid damaging the finish on your restorations.

Dental veneers are an extremely popular cosmetic dentistry treatment. Veneers involve thin wafers that resemble the surface of a tooth and are bonded to the surface of a natural tooth in order to provide a whiter, straighter, more aesthetically pleasing tooth. The wafers, made of dental composite resin or porcelain are typically applied to two or more teeth to simulate a perfect smile.

In order for a dental veneer to sit properly on the patient’s natural tooth, the dentist must first remove a portion of the patient’s tooth enamel. With standard veneers, skipping this grinding step would result in puffy, unnatural looking teeth. A new type of veneer has been developed, however, that allows the patient to retain almost all of his or her natural tooth enamel. These veneers are called “no-prep” veneers. Here are some answers to the most common questions regarding no-prep veneers:

What materials make up no-prep veneers? They are made of the same material standard veneers are made of: porcelain or resin composite.

What do no-prep veneers do for my smile? In the same way standard veneers work, no-prep veneers are used to reshape and cover stained, discolored, worn, chipped, damaged or crooked teeth.

Can I straighten my smile with no-prep veneers? Yes, in some cases, no-prep veneers can be used in place of braces to provide a straight, beautiful smile.

Will no-prep veneers hurt? No, they are not painful. Standard veneers might require some anesthesia for application, but no-prep veneers do not (or they require much less), allowing for a more comfortable patient.

What do I need to do to prepare for no-prep veneers? You’ll need to get a full dental exam and a thorough professional cleaning. Any dental problems such as cavity fillings or root canal treatments must be completed prior to veneer application.

How long do no-prep veneers last? Because porcelain bonds better to enamel than to dentin, no-prep veneers can often last much longer than traditional veneers, sometimes as long as 20 years.

If you are considering no-prep dental veneers, talk to your dentist to get the answers you need!

Are you a denture wearer? If you are, then you might be experiencing some of these common problems. Each one has a solution! Don’t spend your life dealing with problematic dentures. Get your issues addressed today.

Does your denture move or slip? This could be caused by changes in the bone of your jaw. Over time, this bone can shrink, leading to a lack of support for the dentures. You might need a reline or rebase.

Does your denture fail to “seal” onto your mouth? This could be caused by a lack of moisture in your mouth, possibly due to medications you’re taking. Talk to your dentist to get advice and find help.

Does your denture clack or smack when you talk? This embarrassing problem can be caused by improper positioning in your mouth and to an aforementioned bone shrinkage or loss of moisture. You might need a reline or a rebase.

Do you have pain or tenderness in the soft tissues of your mouth? Pressure and rubbing on your gums in one area can result from improper fit, jaw clenching or teeth grinding. Talk to your dentist regarding adjustments.

Do you have sores in the corners of your mouth where your lips meet? If your dentures don’t fit correctly, you could have “overclosing,” leading to improper seal of your lips. This leads to saliva pools at the corners of the mouth that can lead to skin irritation. Sores may also be related to a vitamin deficiency. See your dentist for solutions.

Do your lips have wrinkles at the edges, as though your mouth is collapsing? This is a result of poor fit due to bone loss, moisture loss or a reduction of skin elasticity. Find a solution with your dentist.

When you eat, do you have difficulty? Does food enter under your dentures, causing discomfort? If you’re having trouble with “denture-friendly” foods that you should be able to eat otherwise, talk to your dentist to see about refining your fit.

With the arrival of the holiday season, there is one constant: photographs. From casual family shots taken at that special meal, cooking traditional dishes in the kitchen or playing about in the yard, to posed shots taken professionally you mean to send far and wide to your loved ones, you won’t be able to easily escape the camera.

Have you been hiding your smile in photos for years? Do you make a point to always keep your lips together when you smile or laugh? Do you cover your mouth with your hand when speaking or eating? If so, you may be feeling self-conscious about your smile.

Thanks to photo editing software and apps, there are many ways to get a bright white smile in the end result of the photo. With a little help from your dentist, you can have a beautiful, bright smile that doesn’t need retouching. Have your dream smile now, in real life, for all to see.

Teeth whitening is a hugely popular procedure performed every day across the United States. Some people do it at home, using over-the-counter whitening agents purchased at their grocery stores or drug stores; however, if you’re looking for the fastest, best way to whiten your smile, you can’t get better results than in your dentist’s chair with professional products.

Teeth whitening is safe and effective, and you can see a difference in only one visit to your dentist! If you’ve been thinking about all the special occasions in your holiday future, talk to your dentist today. Find out what products will best help you achieve your best smile yet.